Universal Islands of Adventure / Complete waste of money!

We were astounded at the cost of tickets for our family amounting to $400 but decided to pay it anyhow since we wanted to do at least 1 theme park while in FL recently. The park was a complete ripoff. Long lines (each ride had a minimum of 25 minutes but more common were the 1 hour to 90 minute waits). No mention of the fast pass was made online that we could see, but this was the only way to actually enjoy the park. We were not about to fork over another $40 per ticket to get those so we stood in various lines for long periods of time to get a 90 second to 5 minute ride. This park is not worth the money or your time. Later that evening we were speaking to other families in the hot tub at the hotel we stayed at (a much better value than the park), and they all had similar complaints. Many voiced the opinion that Disney was a much better value and did a better job doling out fast passes to regular ticket holders. We have the same opinion.

Years ago, we went to Universal in CA and enjoyed it a lot. We risked the Islands of Adventure park and paid for it dearly, completely wasting the last day of an otherwise wonderful FL experience!

Comments

Island of Adventure is great. But as you learned there is a right and wrong time of the year to go. Anytime between Sept-April bad time. Holidays no good. Its great during the summer. June-Aug no lines at all for the most part. You can hop on and off all the rides or not have to wait more than 5 mins. I worked at Islands of Adventure in Orlando for 2 years and it really is great for families with kids ages 12+ Disney is great, but for little kids. your teenager will appreciate roller coasters and rides more than the teacups. Disney is just as expensive and the lines are just as long if not longer during peak season. I've waited hours to get on Tower of Terror, It is frustrating. You can get online tips of when the best days are for theme parks.

also they need to have bigger seats, a security uard told me that when the football tems inthe area come to the park they put in bigger seats, i waited a hour in line they was refused the harry potter ride cause they could only click the seat down 1 click the skinny little attendant was not strong enough to push it down, i am 6'3 310 musclauar build with a slightly larger ab regions, but not that fat.